The Mesmerizing Truth

I would like to tell you a True tale about a Great Man and a Grievous miscarriage of Justice!

A story based in Fact, in Science.

Franz Anton Mesmer was born in Germany in 1734. He studied Music, History, Law, Astronomy and Medical Science. He became a healer, learning all the Modern Techniques of the day, like purging, bleeding, and how to administer the correct amount of opium and other potions.

Yes! He was a Healer. And an observer, a scientist, considered a Genius by the many fortunate souls who were healed by his methods.

Mesmer was inspired by a priest named Father Hell. Yes! Father Hell was a popular healer in the 18th Century. Father Hell had performed miracles of healing in the public square and all were invited to come, to watch, and to be healed by all manner of Disease.  Father Hell used his faith to heal hundreds of followers. His faith and a metal cross of grand height. Reports say that a line would form in the square and the unfortunate Sick would come to him one at a time, stand before Fr. Hell, Fr. Hell would touch him (or her) with the monstrous cross, he (or she) would fall down as if Dead, then rise up when Fr. Hell commanded, completely Healed!

Mesmer, who was a man of science and letters, deduced that the healings were not generated by the Power of Faith, but were instead induced by the Metal Cross. He suspected that there was an invisible magnetic fluid contained in every living thing, which provided perfect health if flowing properly, but would severly compromise the body with some affliction if there was a blockage. Mesmer then devised many methods using magnets or iron rods, even magnetizing other objects so that he could influence the Animal Magnetism of every individual who came to him with any affliction of the flesh. He healed hundreds of people with his methods!

Then, one fateful day, a committee arrived, Ben Franklin among them. Dr. Guillotine was also a member of this committe appointed by the French Academy of Science to investigate Mesmer's methods. Having observed the wonderous methods without any insight, they asserted that the healings were the result of Mere Imagination!

This committee dismissed Franz Anton Mesmer as Charlatan!

They did not recognize his Genius. But his followers did. They continued to use and refine his methods and now correctly recognize Mesmer as the Father of Hypnosis.